Irons are used for shorter golf shots, ranging from 200 yards to less than 100 yards. The iron that is used is
determined by the loft of the club head as well as the golfer's ability to hit the ball a certain distance. Improved
technology allows golfers to select the type of iron that best suits his or her game.

Players can be divided into 3 basic ability levels-- low-handicaps,mid-handicaps and high-handicaps. A handicap is the golfer's way
of measuring their performance against the par on a course, usually in relation to a par 72 regulation course.

The low-handicap golfer

A low-handicap player has a single-digit handicap, meaning he or she generally scores less than 10 strokes over
par, or an 82 or less on a par-72 course.

Woods

The low-handicap player should carry a driver and at least 1 fairway wood, most likely the 3-wood

Irons

The low-handicap player will benefit from lower irons in his bag, because the 3- or 4-iron is a difficult club
to hit but can be very useful if it can be controlled

Wedges

A minimum of 3 wedges--pitching wedge,sand wedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedge--in
their bags, with a maximum 4-degree difference between each one

The mid-handicap golfer

The mid-handicap golfer plays "bogey golf," meaning his or her score averages out to 1
over par on each hole, or somewhere in the 11-20 handicap range.

Woods

In addition to the driver and a 3-wood and a 5-wood, consider adding a 7-wood or even a 9-wood. These fairway
woods give much better control and consistency than the harder to hit long irons.

Irons

Usually only a 3 through 9 are recommended, since the 2-iron is very difficult to hit consistently

Wedges

Three different wedges are recommended--pitching wedge, sand wedge, and either a lob wedge or approach
wedge

The high-handicap golfer

The high-handicap golfer is either a beginner or has not had the time to hone his game to reach the mid-handicap
level. The high-handicapper usually shoots close to or over 100.

Woods

You may not even want to have a driver in your bag. Instead, go with the 3-wood as your off-the-tee wood and
add the easier-to-hit 7- and 9-woods.

Wedges

Up to 3 wedges--pitching wedge, sand wedge, and either a lob wedge or approach wedge--should be carried